Rock County levy to increase 2.5 percent

Rock County Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 22 to increase the 2021 levy by 2.5 percent.
The local levy increase will add $154,937 to the county budget for a total local contribution of $6.345 million. The county’s overall budget is $12.8 million for 2021.
State aid accounts for $562,744 in the county’s general fund, an increase of $425 from this year.
Included in the levy are $101,273 for reserves and $75,000 for capital outlay.
Commissioners discussed the importance of both funds at the county’s Dec. 8 Truth in Taxation public hearing and finalized the levy at their last meeting of 2020 on Dec. 22.
No one from the public attended either meeting.
County Administrator Kyle Oldre advocated for more funding in reserves.
“I think there are going to be a lot of things looked at from the state level that may adversely impact how we budget,” he said.
“I think state aid is low-hanging fruit and, if the state cuts this in half, it doesn’t affect how the state operates — basically passes it (shortfalls) on to us.”
The state auditor recommends that counties have a five-month expenditure reserve.
For Rock County the reserve amount budget falls a couple of weeks short of the recommendation.
Earlier this year, an examination of county facilities revealed over $2 million in needed improvements over the next eight to 10 years.
Oldre advocated a systematic approach to these upgrades rather than complete the improvements all at once.
Also in the 2021 budget are funding promises to two local non-profit organizations, the Rock County Historical Society and Generations, the local senior citizens group.
 
Support for History Center, Generations granted
Earlier this year, Historical Society members requested the commissioners to continue a portion of the county’s past annual support of $35,000, of which $25,000 was donated annually for the remodeling of the History Center on East Main Street in Luverne.
With the building project now paid in full, Historical Society members asked for additional operational support. Commissioners agreed to $25,000 annually.
The commissioners also agreed to support Generations’ plans to build a new senior building near the current facility. Estimates place the project at $3 million.
George Bonnema, Generations president, updated commissioners on the project Dec. 22.
He said the purchase of the Terry and Mary Thone home located next to the existing senior citizens center on Lincoln Street is complete.
Plans to move the structure are on hold until fundraising for the new center resumes. Fundraising was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I did have a finance team ready to go when this thing hit and we’re just sitting here,” he said.
Bonnema said over $300,000 has been raised for the project so far. Proceeds from the rental of the former Thone property, estimated at $850 a month, will go toward the new center.
“We are ready to go and we are excited about what could happen,” Bonnema said. “Until something happens, nothing will happen, so we just keep plugging along.”